Will Davison’s hoping his Bathurst 1000 win is long remembered

THE SPOILS: Will Davison and Jono Webb will attempt to defend the Peter Brock trophy after last year's unlikely Bathurst 1000 win.

WHEN Will Davison stood on the top tier of the podium with Jono Webb at Mount Panorama last year, he celebrated one of the more unlikely wins in the history of the Bathurst 1000.

It is also one the Tekno Racing driver hopes will long be remembered.

“To be part of a pretty spectacular finish is the dream of any young driver, so hopefully, in years to come it will be one of those finishes that is played and is talked about,” Davison said.

Given what unfolded in the 2016 edition of the Great Race, Davison’s wish will probably come true.

He had qualified 17th fastest for the race and while being a former Bathurst 1000 victor, no-one really mentioned Davison’s name when discussing winning prospects.

However, as the race unfolded he and Webb slowly improved their position. After 116 laps their Commodore was in second and following their final pit stop, emerged in fifth.

But, on lap 151 there was more drama.

Jamie Whincup attempted a passing move on the inside of Scott McLaughlin going into the chicane at the end of Conrod Straight.

He made contact with McLaughlin’s Volvo in pulling off the move so slowed and attempted to redress, but in the process it led to an incident which saw Garth Tander and the Kiwi crash.

It triggered a safety car and Fabian Coulthard, who had been leading, pitted to take on more fuel.

Whincup was able to race on and though his car was actually the first to see the chequered flag, he was handed a time penalty.

That saw Davison and Webb declared winners in a result which once more highlighted the unpredictable nature of the 1000.

“It is a crazy race. I’ve got a lot of respect for the mountain, it doesn’t owe anyone any favours. It always produces amazing hard luck stories and I’ve been on the right end and the wrong end of the mysterious mountain,” Davison said.

“I just roll with the punches and see what it throws at us. Control what you can control on the day and that’s what we’ll do and hopefully it is a little kind to us.”

This year Davison and Webb will attempt to go back-to-back at Bathurst and once more defy the odds.

Following a 12th placing at last month’s Sandown 500 – the opening race of the endurance season – they were rated a 34-1 chance.

Still, with Davison sitting 16th in the drivers’ championship he feels he has less to risk than others in the field.

“For us, we don’t have anything to lose in terms of championship points, so yes of course we are incredibly focused on going back-to-back,” he said.

“You just go and treat it like any other race. For me it’s been a tough season, so Bathurst - you can redeem your whole year in one day.”